Key Highlights
- BTC experienced a decline of approximately 2.9%, settling near $66,400 following Trump’s Iran war announcement
- President Trump announced the US would strike Iran “extremely hard” within the coming 2–3 weeks
- Oil prices surged beyond $104 per barrel while US equity futures shed more than $550 billion
- Futures open interest for BTC contracted 2.5% within a four-hour window, indicating negative derivatives momentum
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their initial monthly capital inflow since October, attracting $1.2 billion throughout March
Bitcoin experienced a notable downturn Thursday following President Donald Trump’s national broadcast addressing the escalating conflict with Iran. Investors had anticipated dovish signals pointing toward conflict resolution, but the President’s remarks suggested intensification instead.
During his address, Trump informed Americans that military operations would “hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks” when discussing Iran. While noting that strategic military goals were nearing achievement, he provided no concrete timeline for a potential ceasefire.
NOW – Trump on Iran: "We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next 2-3 weeks. We're going to bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong!" pic.twitter.com/knSmNB9OQk
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 2, 2026
Energy markets reacted swiftly to the announcement. Crude oil prices surged 5%, breaking through the $104 per barrel threshold. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed and Trump offering no indication of reopening, supply concerns intensified.
Prior to the presidential address, Bitcoin had been changing hands around $69,230 during Thursday’s trading session. By the following morning hours, the leading cryptocurrency had tumbled to $66,393, representing approximately a 2.9% loss within a 24-hour timeframe.
Altcoins mirrored Bitcoin’s downward trajectory. Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin all registered substantial declines. Bitcoin’s trading volume simultaneously contracted by over 8% during this period.
Futures Data Reveals Liquidation Activity
Analytics from CoinGlass revealed that aggregate BTC futures open interest contracted 2.5% to $46.49 billion during the four hours immediately following Trump’s speech. CME’s open interest decreased 2.70% while Binance recorded a 2.96% reduction. Such movements generally indicate traders unwinding bullish positions.
The Coinbase Premium indicator, which tracks purchasing demand from American traders, entered negative territory. This development suggests domestic retail participants are staying on the sidelines rather than accumulating during the price decline.
Market commentators Lyn Alden and Rory Johnston observed that financial markets “didn’t really learn anything more from Trump’s Iran War address, but those things he reaffirmed are likely going to continue driving crude prices higher.”
The US Dollar Index advanced 0.33% to reach 100, while the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.376%. Precious metals faced pressure with gold declining more than 2% and silver plummeting over 4%.
ETF Inflows Provide Silver Lining Amid Volatility
Notwithstanding the recent price decline, Bitcoin ETFs achieved their first positive monthly net flow since October. These investment vehicles attracted $1.2 billion during March, reversing four consecutive months of capital withdrawals.
Following the October 2025 peak, Bitcoin $BTC has already seen a 52% correction. On February 27, 2026, we saw the 3-day SMA cross once again. As of today, we are exactly 30 days into this signal.
If history "rhymes," we are likely entering the Final Accumulation Window of this… https://t.co/NB4vtVMaFx pic.twitter.com/gMn1MxjzKK
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) April 1, 2026
Bitcoin had maintained relative strength against traditional risk assets throughout March, registering modest appreciation while equities and commodities declined. Nevertheless, BTC remains approximately 24% lower year-to-date in 2026 and has predominantly traded within the $60,000 vicinity throughout the year.
Iranian officials have indicated they require compensation in Chinese yuan or cryptocurrency for allowing transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Direct diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran has remained absent since hostilities commenced over a month ago.
As of publication, Bitcoin was valued at $66,393.
